Editor’s briefing for the week commencing 15 September 2025
Monday 15 Sept
President Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman to perform the “Grito de Independencia” in Mexico as president, using her inaugural speech to specifically honour female independence heroes — such as Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, Leona Vicario, Gertrudis Bocanegra, Manuela Molina — and emphasize recognition of Indigenous women and “anonymous heroines.”
Tuesday 16 Sept
Tuesday marked the 215th anniversary of Mexican independence, with a military parade held in celebration and President Sheinbaum proclaiming, “No foreign power makes decisions for us.”
Wednesday 17 Sept
The US has included Mexico among 23 countries designated as major drug-producing or drug-transit nations in its Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for FY 2026. While the US praised Mexico’s increased cooperation under President Sheinbaum, the report also calls on Mexico to intensify efforts to hold cartel leaders accountable and to disrupt illicit drug production and trafficking networks.
Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, the Organización Secretary of Morena and son of former President AMLO, denied that he or his brother Gonzalo have obtained an amparo (legal injunction) to protect themselves from possible arrest, calling reports to the contrary a “montaje” (set-up). He accused political adversaries of spreading disinformation, requested that the judiciary investigate the matter (including multiple court filings allegedly made without their knowledge), and called the story part of a smear campaign against him and his family.
Mexico has published a call in the Diario Oficial de la Federación inviting public participation in the joint review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), asking for comments, information, and recommendations on its performance. Stakeholders have 60 days from the publication date to submit input.
Thursday 18 Sept
Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit froze nearly two dozen bank accounts — including one belonging to MORENA congresswoman Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo — after the US designated her and several others as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) tied to the “Los Mayos” cartel. The US alleges Brown had longstanding links to cartel operatives and participated in placing their allies in local government, while Mexico’s UIF says inclusion on the list is a “preventive measure” and does not constitute proof of criminal wrongdoing.
Canadian PM Mark Carney visited Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City on Thursday, alongside a sizeable delegation of Canadian business leaders, signing a strategic partnership to deepen cooperation on trade, energy, infrastructure, security, and sustainability. They are also preparing together for the upcoming 2026 review of the USMCA after tensions earlier in the year, and pledged to evaluate common goals in their bilateral relationship within three months.
Friday 19 Sept
The Mexican peso continued weakening for a third straight day versus the US dollar, trading at about 18.40 MXN per USD, or a depreciation of roughly 0.11% (≈ 2.49 cents) from the previous day. According to El Economista, over the week the peso is set for a loss of about 0.25%, as markets adjust to expectations that the US Federal Reserve may halt its interest-rate cuts.